A faster form of wireless Internet is speeding its way into the Shuswap.
AirSpeed Wireless is launching a next generation of wireless Internet, WiMax, which can provide high-speed Internet to people in rural areas who don’t have it, as well as improving the service to those who already use wireless.
“We’ve been running it in our staff’s homes, says manager Darren Muloin. “It’s equivalent to cable modem speed, very similar to that level of service. It’s a huge leap from what we have right now.”
AirSpeed has been in the wireless business for about 10 years, and the way people use wireless is surpassing the original technology. People are watching videos online, requesting phone service online and downloading huge files.
Motorola came up with a high-speed product and AirSpeed Wireless has made substantial investments in their towers and equipment to provide the new generation, Muloin says. Anyone who is now on wireless may trade in their existing equipment and receive a credit towards the new wireless equipment.
AirSpeed Wireless has about 20 towers from Kamloops to Armstrong, including one on Mt. Tappen, South Canoe, Bastion Mountain and Scotch Creek, which transmit signals to receivers inside people’s homes.
AirSpeed is affiliated with Mascon Cable Systems, and started providing wireless for customers who were outside cable areas and weren’t able to get Internet.
The new WiMax is a licensed product, he says, a big improvement over the old-style wireless which was unlicensed and had to compete with equipment in the home such as the phone and web cam.
“So it can go on and off depending on interference from your neighbour... And it’s not very fast,” Muloin says of the older technology, explaining that WiMax runs in its own spectrum. “Capacity is 500 per cent more than what you get in residential old-style wireless.”
AirSpeed Wireless is located in the industrial park at 4901 Auto Rd. and can be reached at 250-832-6000.